Tragedy strikes two Utah Scout Camps

[john doe]

Two tragedies today involving boys at different Boy Scout camps. Links here: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52184249-78/rowberry-lake-diving-scuba.html.csp

and here: Lightning hits two Boy Scouts in Scofield; one dies | The Salt Lake Tribune

I spent a day at the Bear Lake camp last year when my son was there. It seemed to be very well organized and safety was taken very seriously, especially in and on the water. Such a sad thing to happen.

[Guest Sachi001]

Sigh...so sad. We need to make sure to reiterate safety to our youths. Tragedy can strike at a moments notice. The following happened to a Boy Scout troop near where I live.

1975—Halapē, Hawai‘i Island

On the morning of November 29, 1975, two strong earthquakes shook the southeastern coastal area of the island of Hawai‘i. One of these earthquakes registered a magnitude of at least a 7.2 on the Richter scale.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near an old Hawaiian village site called Halapē. The ground in the area sunk some 12 feet (3.7 m) and rocks fell from the cliffs above.

The earthquakes caused a small eruption of Kīlauea Volcano and generated a localized tsunami. When the tsunami came ashore at Halapē, it swept some Boy Scouts and their leaders (who were camping there) up onto a rugged lava field, and many were washed into a huge crack in the lava.

Nineteen people were injured, many severely, and two were killed, including a scout leader and a local fisherman. A huge piece of land actually slid into the ocean and the tops of the palm trees were sticking up from the water. One of the tsunami waves traveled more than 300 feet (91 m) inland.

Sorry JD not trying to derail your thread.

[applepansy]

My prayers are with the families and friends of these young men.

[skippy740]

Shared these two stories on my local counsel's facebook page.

If anything, we can use these stories to get the attention of our youth.

Just because you're at an official scout camp doesn't mean that you're automatically safe from harm.

[Backroads]

Neither of those camps are in my council, but we do have our own camp at Bear Lake. Just the thought of a kid drowning there breaks my heart, which also goes out to whoever was running the water at the time. I ache for both families. My office already has had to make a practical plan to deal with questions.

[pam]

Reminds me of the Scout killed in 2005 in Utah while at a scout camp when lighting hit the log shelter they were sleeping in. Even in this shelter they weren't safe.

[Backroads]

There's no way to be 100% safe. I guess all you can do is mourn and continue your life. Some might say to relook at scouting safety measures, but there's only so much you can do!

[Backroads]

Well, tragically, we just had a Scout accidentally shoot himself. Not at camp, though. So sad.

[Jennarator]

Well, tragically, we just had a Scout accidentally shoot himself. Not at camp, though. So sad.

Fatally?

[Backroads]

Fatally?

Tragically, yes.

[Backroads]

So this was a lovely letter written in thoughts of the 2 Scouts...

It was with heavy hearts that we heard of fallen Scouts this afternoon. At Camp Bartlett we displayed our flag at half mast. At flag ceremony tonight, before the flag was lowered, ******* explained the tragic news that 2 Scouts had passed away. He asked for a moment of silence after the flag was lowered. 640 Scouters in the field stood straight and saluted with pride. After the flag was folded, even nature fell still.

After flag ceremony I headed to the top of the ridge. We were to finish up some construction at the shotgun range. I rode past campsite Ogden, on the North end of our camp. There, around the picnic area in the campsite, a whole troop was on bended knee... offering a prayer for the Scout's families. It was a tender site.

We're all brothers in Scouting. Please let ******** know that we're praying for them, their camp staffs, and the Scout's families.

Sincerely,

********